Leaders in the Field

Making Schools a Site of Healing

Celeste Malone, PhD, MS, is an associate professor and coordinator of the school psychology program at Howard University. She received her PhD in school psychology from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Prior to obtaining her doctorate, Malone received her MS in school counseling from Johns Hopkins University.

Her primary research interest relates to multicultural and diversity issues embedded in the training and practice of school psychology. Specifically, Malone focuses on multicultural competence, the ability to work effectively with diverse populations through the application of cultural knowledge and to demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to cultural issues. The overarching themes of her research are as follows: 1) development of multicultural competence through education and training, 2) diversification of the profession and 3) the relationship between culturally competent practice and PK–12 student outcomes. Related to her interest in professional issues in school psychology, Malone has continuously held leadership positions in psychology professional associations. She currently serves on the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Board of Directors as the strategic liaison for the social justice strategic goal. In that capacity, Malone works closely with NASP boards and committees to develop and implement programs and activities to address social justice issues in school psychology and education. Additionally, Malone is an elected member of the American Psychological Association (APA) Board of Educational Affairs, the governance group which develops policies for education and training in psychology.